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M.S. Comprehensive Examination

For students following the non-thesis option, the M.S. comprehensive
examination in Electrical Engineering is satisfied by the EE299 M.S. Project Seminar
course requirement under the direction of a faculty member. In the M.S.
project format, an M.S. student or a group of M.S. students are
assigned some topic of independent study by a faculty member. The study
culminates with a written report and an oral presentation. The M.S.
project program across the department is administered, for each student,
by the faculty member directing the course, the Director of the Area to
which the student belongs, and the Vice-Chair of Graduate Affairs.

General Instructions for EE299 M.S. Project Seminar Courses

M.S. students following the non-thesis option are required to complete
an independent-study course (EE299 MS Project Seminar) under the
supervision of their faculty advisor. Successful completion of the
course meets the University M.S. Comprehensive Examination Requirement.

Purpose of the Course. The purpose of the
independent-study course is to provide M.S. students following the
non-thesis option with an opportunity to pursue independent-study
projects, write technical reports, make oral presentations, and research
the pertinent literature. Students are to enroll in EE299 the quarter
the project will be completed and the presentation will be made.
Students may only register for this course once.

Format. An M.S. student or a group of M.S.
students would be assigned some topic of independent study by a faculty
member (their M.S. advisor). The student(s) and the faculty advisor
agree on the study to be undertaken and establish a list of objectives
that the project is to accomplish. Throughout the project, the
student(s) interact with the faculty advisor on a regular basis (for
example, through weekly or bi-weekly meetings), asking questions and
providing progress feedback. The study culminates with a written report
and oral presentation.

M.S. Committee. For every M.S. student following
the non-thesis option, the M.S. Project is evaluated by a committee of
three faculty members appointed by the department. The committee
consists of the faculty supervisor directing the EE299 M.S. Project
Seminar course, the Director of the Area to which the student belongs,
and the Vice-Chair of Graduate Affairs. If the Director of the Area
happens to be the student's faculty supervisor, then the Director is
replaced by another faculty member from the same Area. Likewise, if the
Vice-Chair of Graduate Affairs happens to be the student's faculty
supervisor, then the Vice-Chair of Graduate Affairs is replaced by
another department Vice-Chair or the Department Chairman.

Evaluation and Grading.

For every student, the EE299 M.S. Project Seminar course
culminates with a written report and an oral presentation in front of
the faculty supervisor. Based on this work, the student, or each member
in a group of students, earns a letter grade from the faculty
supervisor. The evaluation of the students' performance should be based
on a satisfactory completion of the assigned project and on an
assessment of the quality of the written report and oral presentation.

If the faculty supervisor is not
satisfied with the progress of the student or the quality of
the work, then the a grade of "U" will be assigned. If you
complete the requirements of the project the following
quarter, you must request a grade change from your faculty
supervisor.

The student submits the graded work (report and slides)
to the other two committee members for final approval using the relevant
Comprehensive Examination Form from the Department's Office of Student
Affairs. The final course grade is approved by the committee of three
faculty members. A copy of the signed form,
the written report, and the presentation slides are then submitted by
the student to the Department's Office of Student Affairs.

Procedure. M.S. students following the non-thesis option should follow, in
consultation with their faculty advisors, the procedure outlined below to complete the EE299 M.S. Project Seminar requirement:

The student meets with their faculty advisor and
expresses interest in completing the EE299 M.S. Project Seminar
requirement under their guidance. The student(s) and the faculty advisor
agree on the study to be undertaken and establish a list of objectives
that the project is to accomplish.

The student enrolls in the section of the EE299 course
that corresponds to the particular faculty supervisor. EE299 courses are
treated like EE296 courses; every faculty member has a separate
session. Enrollment in EE299 has been capped at 5 students per offering
per faculty. The student enrolls in EE299 only once (the quarter the
project and presentation will be completed.)

The student starts work on the project and meets the
faculty supervisor with reasonable regularity to seek guidance or with
updates on his/her progress.

The student delivers a final written report and oral
presentation. The project may be pursued individually or in a small
group working under the supervision of the same faculty member.

Each student is graded individually and receives a letter grade from the faculty supervisor.

The student submits the graded written report and
presentation slides to the other two committee members for final
approval. Once the grade has been approved by all committee members, the
grade is submitted to the Registrar's Office.

The signed Comprehensive Examination Form,
along with copies of the written report and the slides, are submitted
to the Department's Office of Student Affairs. Copies should be
submitted, printed, and in PDF form. PDF copies may be emailed to Deeona Columbia in 2 files (one for report; one for slides).

Timeframe.

All M.S. program requirements, including successfully
completing the EE299 M.S. Project Seminar course, should be completed
within 2 academic years from admission into the M.S. graduate program.

M.S. students following the non-thesis option are
strongly advised to sign up for the EE299 M.S. Project Seminar course at
least two quarters prior to the completion of their M.S. degree
requirements. In case of failure, the student may re-take the EE299 M.S.
Project Seminar course only once, subject to approval by the Vice-Chair
of Graduate Affairs.

Students must complete the EE299 MS Project Seminar
requirement within 2 quarters from the first time they enroll in the
course. If a student is unable to complete the duties of the project
during the first quarter, and if the faculty supervisor deems that the
satisfactory progress has been accomplished until that point, then a
letter grade of Incomplete (I) may be justified and the student is
required to complete the project in the following quarter at the latest.
Failure to do so results in the student failing to meet the EE299 MS
Project Seminar requirement.

Honor Code. Obtaining a masters degree from UCLA
Electrical Engineering is an outstanding accomplishment. Completing the
independent-study course EE299 is one step towards achieving this goad
for M.S. students following the non-thesis option. During their studies,
students should abide by the University Academic Integrity Policy and
the UCLA Student Code of Conduct. Acts of academic dishonesty will be
reported to the Office of the Dean of Students. Serious penalties may
apply.

Answers to Questions.

Can a student complete the EE299 MS Project Seminar
requirement with a faculty member who is not his official M.S. faculty
advisor?

Answer: No, unless the student switches officially to a new M.S. faculty advisor.

What happens if a student does not finish the project before the end of the quarter?

Answer: Students must complete the EE299 MS Project Seminar
requirement within 2 quarters from the first time they enroll in the
course. If a student is unable to complete the duties of the project
during the first quarter, and if the faculty supervisor deems that
satisfactory progress has been accomplished until that point, then a
letter grade of Incomplete (I) may be justified and the student is
required to complete the project in the following quarter at the latest.
Failure to do so results in the student failing to meet the EE299 MS
Project Seminar requirement.

Should a student enroll in EE299 during the last quarter of study?

Answer: M.S. students following the non-thesis option are
strongly advised to sign up for the EE299 M.S. Project Seminar course at
least two quarters prior to the completion of their M.S. degree
requirements. In case of failure, the student may re-take the EE299 M.S.
Project Seminar course only once, subject to approval by the Vice-Chair
of Graduate Affairs.

What are the components of the project?

Answer: The student(s) and the faculty advisor agree on the study
to be undertaken and establish a list of objectives that the project is
to accomplish. Throughout the project, the student(s) interact with the
faculty advisor on a regular basis (for example, through weekly or
bi-weekly meetings), asking questions and providing progress feedback.
The study culminates with a written report and oral presentation.

What is the criterion for passing the project?

Answer: The evaluation of the students' performance is based on a
satisfactory completion of the assigned project and on an assessment of
the quality of the written report and oral presentation. The student
delivers a final written report and oral presentation. The project may
be pursued individually or in a small group working under the
supervision of the same faculty member. Each student is graded
individually and receives a letter grade from the faculty supervisor.
The student submits the graded written report and presentation slides to
the other two committee members for final approval. Once the grade has
been approved by all committee members, the grade is submitted to the
Registrar's Office. Satisfactory completion of the EE299 M.S. Project
Seminar requirement requires a letter grade of B or higher.